The decolonization of urban space is a process that seeks to transform cities—especially in the Global South—by dismantling patterns of planning and spatial organization rooted in the colonial era. These cities have inherited infrastructures and land-use systems that reflect colonial hierarchies, where certain areas are more developed and accessible than others according to race, class, and economic power. Authors such as Ananya Roy and Jennifer Robinson have explored this issue in depth, examining how current urban movements and policies are working to challenge these structures and promote more inclusive and equitable cities. Ananya Roy, in her work Urban Informality: Toward an Epistemology of Planning, highlights how urban planning in many Global South cities continues to be shaped by colonial hierarchies that separated elites from marginalized populations.
Roy argues that urban informality—so common in these cities—is a direct consequence of colonial policies that excluded large sectors of the population from the benefits of urban development. According to Roy, decolonizing urban space not only requires rethinking spatial distribution, but also challenging narratives that treat informality as abnormal, when in fact it is an intrinsic part of urban life in these regions. Jennifer Robinson, in Ordinary Cities: Between Modernity and Development, critiques the traditional planning approach that classifies Global South cities as “underdeveloped” or “backward” compared with those in the Global North. Robinson argues that this colonial perspective perpetuates the idea that southern cities must imitate northern urban development models, leading to unequal and exclusionary planning.
Instead, she proposes that every city should be understood as “ordinary”—worthy of study and planning on the basis of its own dynamics, histories, and needs. This perspective is central to the decolonization of urban space because it recognizes the diversity of urban experiences worldwide. A key issue emphasized by both authors is the need to involve local communities in the planning and management of urban spaces. Ananya Roy stresses that citizen participation is essential for reversing historical spatial injustices, where planning decisions were made centrally by elites serving selective interests.
Likewise, Jennifer Robinson argues that inclusive urban policies must take into account the voices of the most marginalized groups, who are often those most affected by the colonial legacy in land use and access to urban services. The decolonization of urban space also involves reevaluating symbols and monuments that occupy prominent places in many postcolonial cities. These symbols often glorify figures or events associated with colonialism, and their continued presence can reinforce exclusion among groups oppressed during that era. For Roy and Robinson, decolonization includes reconfiguring these public spaces so that they better represent the histories and cultures of all communities living in the city, not only historical elites.
Finally, the decolonization of urban space is not simply a physical process of territorial reorganization, but also a symbolic and political act. Changing the way urban space is conceived and organized means questioning the power structures that still shape city life. Ananya Roy and Jennifer Robinson agree that this is a complex process requiring transformation in both governance and perceptions of what constitutes a “developed” city. Cities of the Global South have the opportunity to lead this process by creating more inclusive and just models of urban development that recognize their own histories and diversity.
In conclusion, the decolonization of urban space seeks to free Global South cities from structures and symbols inherited from colonialism. Ananya Roy and Jennifer Robinson show that this process involves not only physical reconfiguration, but also political and social transformation that allows all communities to participate in planning and using urban space. As cities move toward more inclusive models, decolonization emerges as an essential path toward greater equity and justice in urban development.
